11 Commandments of the cHURCH OF MONIKA

What is the cHURCH? | 11 Commandments of the cHURCH

The cHURCH OF MONIKA was established in 2010 with the intention of communicating and demonstrating the role art can and should have on community. The origin of our concept stems from our mutual admiration of the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. This profound monument to the freedom and pursuit of self-reflection is a model of art as a surrogate for religion. We take a non-denominational and tolerant attitude in our journey through life and our hope is to build an alliance with people of all faiths and world-views. We suffer no delusions of grandeur, we only seek to inspire and be inspired by the art of life and community.

In keeping with a space inspired by the communities fostered around churches, our cHURCH has 11 commandments, which deal with universal themes that Open Source staff, board members and supporters view as important in art and programming at Open Source. Rather than having our commandments set in stone, these can (and have) changed over the years–and are always open to suggestions from our community.

1. Everyone is born an artist.
2. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
3. Art-making requires community.
4. Diversity is integral to progressive art.
5. Freedom of speech is paramount.
6. Be true to yourself.
7. Art is a social instrument.
8. No person is an island.
9. Exclusive art limits growth.
10. Ideas spread by osmosis.
11. Art is open source.